Fastening device



May 11, 1965 A. M. SHEMET FASTENING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 OriginalFiled June 13. 1960 Alexander M. Shemej,

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May 11, 1965 A. M. SHEMET 3, 8 7

FASQI'IIENING DEVICE Original Filed June 13. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AIIIIIT -1x 7111111! L\\\\I\\\\\\\I'\9 EWK\\\\\\\\ I9 I 51 5| 52Alexander M. Shemeft,

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United States Patent 3,182,770 FASTENING DEVICE Alexander M. Sheinet,3438 Empty Saddle Road, Roliiug Hills Estates, Calif. Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 35,585, June 13, 1960. This application Sept. 10,1963, Ser. No. 308,032 4 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) This is a continuation ofmy now abandoned application, Serial No. 35,585, filed June 13, 1960,entitled Fastening Device.

This invention relates to a quick-release, fool-proof fastening devicefor panels and the like. More particularly, but not necessarilyexclusively, the invention re lates to a quick-release rotatable-typefastener for securing together a pair of plates, one of which may be aninspection cover plate, for example.

The general type of fastener to which the fastening device of theinstant invention is related comprises a stud rotatably mounted in aplate (hereinafter called the studplate) having a bar transverselymounted on one end thereof and adapted to be rotatable with the stud.The other end of the stud is adapted to be rotated by hand or by toolsor the like. It may be provided with a knob or a groove for ascrewdriver, for example. The plate to be secured to the stud-plate isprovided with an opening so shaped and dimensioned as to permit thetransverse bar on the stud to pass therethrough in one position, butpermitting this transverse bar to extend over portions of the plate whenthe stud and transverse bar thereon are rotated to a second position(which may be 90 from the aforementioned first postion). Such anaperture may be a rectangle in shape, for example, whose long dimensionswill admit the aforementioned transverse bar.

While such fasteners have great utility they are subject to severalobjections. In the first place the stud and its transverse bar may befreely rotated at any time yet must be in one and only one position inorder to enter the aforementioned aperture in the plate to be secured.Since the transverse bar is on the blind side of the stud-plate,inadvertent rotation of the stud, when the plates are unfastened andseparated, makes it necessary to rotate the stud and find the properposition by feel when it is desired to refasten the plates together. Inaddition, it will be appreciated that forces applied on the plates whensecured together may result in movement of the plates relative to eachother in planes at right angles to the stud fastener because theaforementioned aperture must be large enough, at least in one direction,to admit the transverse bar. Hence, the stud itself, while adapted toremain fixed against such movement with respect to the stud-plate, maymove along in the aperture in the other plate unless special means areprovided to prevent such movement. To state it otherwise, the plate maymove in the direction of the principal dimension of its aperture. Theaforesaid special means to prevent such movement are usually ratherelaborate and expensive stops or the like which are provided in additionto the fastening device itself. Such relative movement of these plateswith respect to each other is extremely undesirable in many instances,particularly, for example, where it is desired to employ suchquick-fastening devices for inspec tion cover plates or the like inaircraft and missiles.

It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide animproved fastening device of the rotatable stud type.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fasteningdevice of the rotatable stud type for securing plates or the liketogether quickly and which is adapted to prevent relative movement ofthe plates with respect to each other when so secured.

3,i8Z,770 Patented May 11, 1965 Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved fastening device of the rotatable stud type forsecuring plates or the like together which fastening device cannot berotated out of proper position while the plates are unfastened orotherwise separated and which is adapted to prevent relative movement ofthe plates with respect to each other when fastened together by theaforesaid fastening device.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are accomplishedby providing a stud with a first rectangularly-shaped shoulder portionhaving curved ends which is insertable in a key-hole-s-haped aperture inthe stud plate. The stud may thus be moved in a plane normal to the axisof the keyhole and into the rectangular portion or leg thereof. Thismovement across the keyhole is hereinafter referred to as being lateral.It will thus be understood that when the stud is moved into the leg ofthe keyhole, it cannot be rotated because the rectangular shoulderportion of the stud is then contained within the walls of therectangularly-shaped leg. Hence it will be appreciated that in the openor unfastened position of the stud, the shoulder portion of the stud isin the leg of the keyhole in the stud plate, thus preventing the studfrom being inadvertently rotated out of position. The plate to befastened to the stud-plate is also provided with a similar keyholeaperture. The stud is likewise provided with a secondrectangularlyshaped shoulder portion (again having curved ends). Thissecond shoulder portion is positioned on the stud so as to be containedwithin the walls of the keyhole aperture in the second plate when thetwo plates are brought together. In the unfastened position of the stud,the second shoulder portion is similarly positioned within the leg ofthe larger keyhole in the second plate. Finally the end of the studprotruding through the aperture in the second plate is provided with athird shoulder portion, which is hereinafter called a transverse bar,having a length greater than the diameter of the circular portion of thekeyhole. To fasten the two plates together, the stud is moved in adirection perpendicular to the axis of the keyhole apertures so as to becoaxial with the center of the circular portions of the two keyholeapertures. This movement also moves one end of the transverse bar overthe plate to be secured. The stud may then be rotated which results inturning the transverse bar so that its second end passes over the secondplate around the circular portion of the keyhole aperture in the secondplate. Due to the fact that both the first and second shoulder portionshave lengths corresponding respectively to the internal diameters of thecircular portions of the keyhole apertures in the respective plates, theplates cannot be moved in planes at right angles thereto because thewalls in each plate defining the keyhole apertures abut these shoulderportions. The stud may be freely rotated as desired in the circularportions of the keyhole apertures because the ends of the shoulderportions have a curvature substantially equal to the curvature of theaforementioned circular portions.

The invention will be described in greater detail by reference to thedrawings in which:

:FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the stud-fastening device accordingto the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the stud-fasteningdevice and the stud plate according to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of thestud-fastening device and the stud plate according to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the stud plate, and a second plate tobe fastened to the stud plate;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the stud-fastening device and the stud plate,showing the first shoulder-portion of the stud in the leg of the keyholeaperture in the stud plate;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the stud-fastening device and the plate to besecured thereby showing the second shoulder-portion of the stud in theleg of the keyhole aperture in the plate and the transverse bar on theend of the stud;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the stud-fastening device and the stud plate,showing the first shoulder-portion of the stud in the circular portionof the keyhole aperture in the stud plate;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the stud-fastening device and the plate to besecured thereby, showing the second shoulder-portion of the stud in thecircular portion of the keyhole aperture in the plate and the transversebar on the end of the stud extending over the portions of the platesurrounding the keyhole aperture before rotation of the stud to the fullfasten position;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view in section showing the stud plate, theplate to be secured thereto, the stud, the shoulder portions of thestud, and the transverse bar on the end of the stud which is in the openposition before lateral movement of the stud to the center of thecircular portions of the apertures in the two plates;

FIGURE 10 is an elevational View in section showing the stud plate, theplate to be secured thereto, the stud, the shoulder portions of the studand the transverse bar on the end of the stud after lateral movementthereof to the center of the circular portions of the aperture in thetwo plates and before rotation of the stud to the full fasten position;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view in section showing the stud plate, theplate to be secured thereto, the stud, the shoulder portions of the studand the transverse bar on the end of the stud after rotation of the studto the full fasten position;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view in section of the studfastening deviceshowing the first and second shoulder portions thereof, the transversebar on the end of the stud, and means for securing these components tothe stud so as to be rotatable therewith when the stud is turned by thescrewhead thereof;

FIGURE 13 is an elevational View in section of the studfastening deviceshowing the first and second shoulder portions thereof, the transversebar on the end of the stud, alternate means for securing thesecomponents to the stud so as to be rotatable therewith when the stud isturned by the screwhead thereof, and having means to provide positiveindications and retention against inadvertent rotation thereof;

FIGURE 14 is an elevational view in section of the studfastening deviceand the plates to be secured thereby having means to tighten the studand the plates in the lock position when employed as a semi-permanentblind fastening device;

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of the stud plate showing the aperture thereinwith detents or depressed portions positioned therearound;

FIGURE 16 is a plan view of the stud plate provided with a modifiedcircular aperture to provide positive stop for the stud when rotated 90in either direction; and

FIGURE 17a and 17b are respectively elevational views of thestud-fastening device having two transverse bar portions and oneshoulder portion for use with only one plate, FIGURE 1712 being a viewof the stud itself at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 17a.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 1, the stud 2 of the presentinvention is provided with first and second shoulder portions 4 and 6,and with a bar 8 mounted transversely on the end thereof. In order tomore clearly show the shoulder portions or stages 4 and 6, the means forturning the stud 2 about its long axis, such as a knob or screwhead,have not been shown in this figure. However, it is to be understood thatsuch means are contemplated and may be provided as more clearly shown inFIGURE 3 wherein the stud 2 is provided with a transverse shoulderportion or a screwhead 1h. The shoulder portions and 6 are substantiallyrectangular in shape with the ends 5', 5 and 7, '7 on the short sidesthereof being curved for a purpose to be explained more fullyhereinafter. The dimensions and radii of curvature of these shoulderportions can be more clearly and easily demonstrated by reference to theapertures in the two plates which are to be secured together by thestud-fastening device of the invention. Hence, with reference to FIGURE2, the stud plate 12 (so-called herein because the stud 2 is mountedthereon as will be more fully shown hereinafter) is proivided with anaperture 14 therein whose general shape is that of a keyhole. The shapeof the aperture 14 may be more technically defined as a circle having arectangle extending from a portion thereof. Such a shaped aperture isidentified hereinafter as a keyhole aperture.

As mentioned previously, the first shoulder portion 4 of the stud .2 isrectangularly shaped; the width of this shoulder or stage issubstantially equal to the width of the rectangular portion =17 of thekeyhole aperture 14 in the stud plate 12. The curved ends 5, 5 of theshoulder 4 have a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radiusof the circular portion 15 of the keyhole aperture 14. Thus the lengthof the stage 4 between the curved ends 5, 5 may be regarded assubstantially equal to the diameter of this circular portion 15 of theaperture 14. It should be understood that as used herein and throughoutthe specifications and claims hereof, the term substantially equal isintended to indicate a close fit or tolerance but at the same time onewhich still permits movement without sloppiness.

The second stage or shoulder portion 6 of the stud 2 is likewiserectangularly shaped and provided with curved ends '7, 7. The dimensionsof this stage 6 are similarly related to the dimensions of the keyholeaperture 18 in the plate 19 which is also provided wiht a rectangularleg 21 and a circular portion 20 as shown in FIGURE 4. The secondshoulder portion 6, however, may be longer and wider than the firstshoulder portion t in order to permit the stud 2 to be secured to thestud plate 12 without being movable along the axis of the stud withrespect to the stud plate 12. Hence the dimensions of the keyholeaperture 18 are correspondingly larger than those of the keyholeaperture 14 in the stud plate 12. With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3, itwill be noted how the stud plate 12 is secured between the secondshoulder portion 6 and the screwhead It If the screwhead It is integralwith the stud 2, securing the stud to the stud plate 12 may beaccomplished by making the screwhead It) initially of a diameter smallenough to permit its passage through the keyhole aperture 14 in the studplate 12. Thereafter a larger diameter may be imparted to the screwhead1t} as by peening. If the second stage 6 were of the same size as thefirst stage 4-, the second stage 6 could, of course, enter the keyholeaperture 14 in the stud plate 12 just as the first stage 4 does. Whilethe stud 2 would still be retained in the stud plate 12 by the screwhead ltl on one side and the transverse bar 8 on the other, and hencecould still be operative as far as the invention is concerned, the axiallooseness or freedom in a direction normal to the plate 12 of the stud 2in the full open position is objectionable. In the locked" or fullfasten position this axial freedom of the stud 2 would be avoided sincethe two plates 12 and 19 would be secured togethor so as to take up anyaxial slop along the axis of the stud 2. Hence, it will be understoodthat the embodiment wherein the second stage 6 is provided with greaterdimensions than the first stage 4 is preferred but it does not representa structurally necessary arrangement in order to practice the inventionsuccessfully to advantage.

The final stage of the stud 2 comprises a bar-like member or thirdshoulder portion 8 which is secured to the end of the stud 2 and atright angles with respect thereto. The bar 8 may also be rectangular inshape and its longest dimension is greater than the diameter of thelarge keyhole aperture 18 in the plate 19 so that when the stud plate 12and the plate. 19 are brought together in such a fashion as to make thecenters of the keyhole apertures in the plates coaxial and the stud ismoved from the legs of the keyholes so that its axis is likewise at thecoaxial centers of the apertures, one end of the bar 8 will extend overthe plate 19 to be secured thereby. Rotation of the stud 2 will causethe other end of the bar 8 to move from its position over the legs ofthe apertures so as to extend over portions of the plate 19 opposite tothose portions engaged under the other end of the bar. The maximumlength of the bar 8 thus may be the length of the leg in the keyholeaperture 18 plus the distance to the opposite portion of the circularportion 20. If this maximum is exceeded then it will not be pos sible topass the bar 8 through the keyhole aperture 18. The width of the bar issubstantially equal to the width of the rectangular portion or leg ofthe keyhole aperture 18. While not absolutely necessary for operationaccording to the invention, at least one end of the bar 8 is curved, theradius of curvature thereof being substantially equal to the radius ofthe circular portion of the keyhole aperture 18. It will be appreciatedthat such a curved end will be necessary if it is desired to provide abar of maximum length (a length equal to the diameter of the circularportion of the keyhole aperture plus the length of the leg portion).Having both ends of the bar 8 curved is more desirable since if only oneend of the bar 8 were curved, only this end must be over the circularportion of the keyhole aperture when it is desired to unfasten theplates. Hence to avoid such a position limitation it is more convenientto curve both ends of the bar identically.

The final dimension of the various stages or shoulder portions of thestud member to be considered is the height thereof. This is dictated bythe thickness of the plates to be secured together. Thus, the firststage or shoulder portion 4 has a height at least substantially equal tothe thickness of the stud plate 12; the second stage 6 likewise has aheight substantially equal to the thickness of the plate 19 to besecured to the stud plate 12. The height of the bar 8 is not significantexcept for consideration of the desired mechanical strength thereof andof course any necessary clearances with respect to other apparatus orthe like which may be disposed on the side of the plate 19 on which bar8 is to be rotated.

In operation the stud 2 is mounted on the stud plate 12 as describedheretofore and shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. In this, the open positionof the stud 2 and the stud plate 12 as shown in FIGURE 5, inadvertentrotation of the stud is prevented since the first shoulder portion 4thereof is disposed within the rectangular leg 17 of the aperture 14.The bar 8 is likewise thereby disposed in a direction corresponding tothe longest dimension of the keyhole aperture 18 in the plate 19 whichis to be secured to the stud plate 12. The plates are then broughttogether by movement of either or both whereby the bar 8 passes throughthe aperture 18 in the plate 19 and the second shoulder portion 6 of thestud enters the rectangular leg portion 21 of the aperture 18.. Therelationship of the plates, the aperture therein, and the stud 2 at thistep is shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 9. The stud is then moved in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the apertures so as to slide therectangular shoulder portions 4 and 6 out of the respective rectangularleg portions 17 and 21 and into the respective circular portions 15 and29 of the two plates 12 and 19. The disposition of the first shoulderportion 4 in the circular portion 15 of the aperture 14 in the stud 12after this lateral movement is shown in FIGURE 7. The disposition of thesecond shoulder portion 6 and the transverse bar 8 with respect to thekeyhole aperture 18 in the plate 19 after this lateral movement is shownin FIGURE 8. Another view, in elevation of they stud 2 and the plates 12and 19 in this position is also shown in FIGURE 10 where it will benoticed that the lateral movement of the stud into this positionimmediately locks the plates together since such movement causes the bar8 to ride over a portion of the plate 19 surrounding the circularaperture therein. Hence, this position may be referred to as thehalf-open or half-fasten position of the stud. The final operationneeded to complete the locking of the two plates is rotation of the stud2 which moves the free end of the bar 8 from over the open rectangularleg 17 of the aperture 18 to a position over portions in the plate 19likewise surrounding the circular port-ions 20 of this aperture. Therotation needed to accomplish this final locking action is aquarter-turn of the stud and the final lock position of the stud isshown in FIGURE 11.

It will thus be appreciated that in the open position the stud cannot beinadvertently rotated unless it first is moved laterally out of therectangular leg of the aperture 14 in the stud-plate 12. Hence the studalways remains in the proper position for engagement with the aperturein the second plate unless deliberately moved. In the full fastenposition neither the stud nor either plate may be moved in any directionparallel to the plane of the two plates because of the engagement of thecurved ends of the shoulder portions 4 and 6 with the circular-portions15 and 20 respectively of the aperture in each plate.

The stud 2 may be machined from a single piece of stock metal. A lessdifiicult and more economical arrangement of the stud and its parts isshown in FIGURE 12 wherein the stud 2 comprises a hollow shaft 30 havinga screw head 10 integral therewith. The internal portion of the shaft 30is threaded. A pair of wings 31 and 32, extending along the length andon opposed sides of the shaft, are provided. The shoulder portions 4 and6 may be an integral unit or they may be separate items. Each of thesestages 4 and 6 are provided with a central circular hole therein, eachhole being additionally provided with opposed grooves so as to permiteach stage to he slipped over the shaft 30 of the stud with the wings 31and 32 riding in the grooves so that rotation of the shoulder portionsor stages is positively obtained and assured when the stud itself isrotated. The transverse bar 8 is like wise provided with a centralaperture having a countersunk portion and opposed grooves. The bar 8 islikewise slipped onto the shaft 30 so that its grooves also are engagedby the wings 31 and 32 of the shaft. The entire assembly is thensecurely held together with an externally threaded screw 26 which isthreaded into the hollow portion of the shaft 30 until its head iscontained with the countersunk portion of the aperture in the transversebar 8 so as to be flush therewith.

Alternatively, the hollow shaft embodiment shown in FIGURE 12 may bereplaced with a solid shaft which is externally threaded whereby theparts may be bolted together by means of nut 33 on the shaft 30 as shownin FIGURE 13. Also shown in this embodiment is an arrangement whereby asmall pair of balls 34 and 35 are each disposed within circularapertures 36, 36' and 37, 37, provided through the transverse bar 8 andthe second shoulder portion 6, respectively. The balls 34 and 35 areheld into contact with the stud plate 12 as shown and are maintained inplace within the apertures 36, 36' and 37, 37' and against the studplate 12 under pressure by means of a leaf-type spring 38 which isbolted against the outside of the transverse bar 8 by the nut 33. Thestud plate 12 is provided with small circular detents 29, 40, and 41 asshown in FIGURE 15, which are positioned apart around the circularportion 15. A fourth detent may be disposed opposite the end of therectangular leg 17 of the keyhole aperture 14 if desired. It will beappreciated that by this arrangement 90 rotation of the stud 2 willbring the balls 34 and 35 into the opposed detents 39 and 41. Inoperation the movement of these balls into these detents is accompaniedby an audible snap or click thus assuring the operator that the stud 2has been turned to the proper fasten position. This detent ballarrangement also tends to further offer resistance to inadvertentrotation of the stud as might be caused by vibration or the like.Rotating the stud 90? from the fasten position to the half-open position(the position of the stud prior to lateral movement thereof into thelegs of the apertures) will cause one of the balls to ride into thedetent 40, again producing an audible click and thus indicating properposition for laterally moving the stud 2 into the legs of the aperturesin the two plates. Such lateral movement, in turn, results in moving theball out of the deent 40. The opposite ball will at the same time bemoved into the fourth detent which may be provided adjacent the end ofthe leg 17 in the stud plate 12, again being accompanied with anaudible, position-signalling click. This fourth detent is primarilydesirable only to produce the signalling click since the stud cannot berotated in this full open position anyway. The fourth detent may alsotend to offer resistance to inadvertent lateral movement of the stud.

In FIGURE 16 another keyhole aperture arrangement 22 is shown whichresults in positive stopping of the stud 2 when rotated into either thefull fasten or halfopen positions. In this embodiment, only alternatequarter portions of the keyhole aperture are circular, one of theintervening non-circular quarter portions being constituted by aremaining solid portion 24 of the plate itself. The other interveningsolid quarter portion is constituted by the solid portion 25 of theplate and by the open leg 23 of the aperture. It will be appreciatedthat as far as lateral movement of the stud into and out of the legportion is concerned, the operation is the same as if the blockedcircular portion were completely circular as in prior embodiments. Whenthe stud is disposed in the half-open position (that is, when the studis out of the leg portion) and rotated 90, the shoulder portion of thestud will be brought into abutment with the solid portions 24 and 25 ofthe partially circular portion of the aperture 22 in the plate, thuspositively stopping the stud from further rotation and assuring theattainment of proper position for either locking or for lateral movementof the stud. Hence, the stud may be rotated only. a quarterturn in onedirection to move it to the full fasten position, while a quarter-turninto the opposite direction moves it into the half-open position, morethan 90 rotation of the stud in a given direction being preventedaltogether.

While the modified keyhole aperture arrangement shown in FIGURE 16 maybe provided in either or both of the plates 12 and 19, a particularadvantage of providing such an aperture only in the plate 19 to besecured to the stud plate may be realized as follows. if, in assemblingthe two plates 12 and 19 together, the stud 2 for some reason does notproperly enter the aperture in the plate 19 which is to be secured tothe stud plate 12, the stud may be continuously rotated 360 or more thusindicating improper or no engagement. When proper engagement isattained, the stud can only be rotated 90 and thus a positive assuranceof engagement is provided.

Referring now to FIGURE 14, another embodiment of the stud-fasteningdevice is shown which is especially useful Where it is desired to employthe stud fastener of the instant invention as a semi-permanent blindfastening device. By semi-permanen is meant a fastener which may beremoved but which is primarily designed to remain in place for ratherextended periods of time while providing the fastening strength of arivet or the like but not having its immobility. in this embodiment, thelarger shoulder portion 53 of the stud 50 is provided adjacent thescrewhead 55 and may be integral therewith. An internally threaded boreterminating in a tapered hole at the screwhead end of the stud is alsoprovided. This arrangement is the reverse of that shown in FIGURE 12,for example, in that the larger shoulder portion 53 is provided on thestud Sti so as to be nearer the working sa /to 5 side rather than nearerthe blind or non-accessible side of the plate 12. The smaller shoulderportion 56 is provided adjacent the larger shoulder portion 53 and maybe integral with the transverse 'bar portion 52. Both the bar 52 and thesmaller shoulder 56are provided with a central bore therethrough, thebore terminating in a tapered hole in the bar 52. The shoulder portion53 and 56 (and hence the screwhead portion 55 and the bar portion 52)are secured together by a screw 51 which is inserted into the boresthrough these portions from the transverse bar end of the assembly. Theapertures in the plates 12 and 19 may be of the keyhole configurationshown and described hereinbefore although it will be appreciated thatthe stud in the instant embodiment will not be permanently secured tothe plate 12 as before. This is because the reversal of the larger andsmaller shoulder portions on the stud and the necessity of providing theplate 12 with the larger of the two apertures does not permit theplate12 to be contained between the screwhead portion and the larger shoulderportion 53.

In operation, the stud assembly 59 is inserted into the plates 12 and 19through the keyhole apertures therein with the shoulder portions 53 and56 passing through the leg portions of the apertures. The stud assemblyis then laterally moved out of the legs of the apertures into thecircular portions thereof and thus into the aforementioned half-fastenposition. Upon rotation of the entire stud assembly, achieved by meansof the screwhead 55, the transverse bar portion 52 is brought into fullengagement with the plate 19 which is thereby secured to the plate 12 asdescribed hereinbefore. The assembly is then tightened together alongthe direction of the stud axis by means of the screw 51 which passesthrough the entire assembly and is provided with a slot 54 on theterminal end thereof which protrudes into the tapered hole in thescrewhead 55. A slight clearance may be provided between the inner endof the small shoulder portion 56 and the inner surface of the largershoulder portion 53 as shown by the space 57 which, in the drawing, issomewhat exaggerated for convenience of illustration. Such clearance maybe desirable in order to permit compensation for variations in platethicknesses which may occur. The space 57 may be provided by a recess inthe inner end of the larger shoulder portion 53, the dimensions of therecess corresponding substantially to those of the smaller shoulderportion 56.

There thus has been described a novel and useful rotatable stud-typefastening device for plate-like panels or objects having surfacescapable of being provided with apertures. The stud-type fastener of thepresent invention prevents relative movement of the plates or objects tobe joined thereby with respect to each other and the fastener itselfcannot be inadvertently rotated when the plates are not fastenedtogether thereby. In addition, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed which provide for positive identification of the variouspositions of the stud and for preventing undesirable lateral movement orrotation of the stud when in the full fasten or full open positions ofthe fastener. It should also be appreciated that the advantages of theinvention may be attained when practicing the invention With respect toonly one plate or object and the stud itself is to serve some additionalfunction or purpose. This latter embodiment is briefly illustrated inFIGURES 17a and 1712. Thus one of the shoulder portions may be dispensedwith, the remaining one 6, riding in the keyhole aperture, the studbeing prevented from moving in one direction by the shoulder portion 6being in engagement with the circular portion of the aperture and in adirection at right angles thereto by transverse bars 8, 8' on each endthereof. In such possible usage of the invention, it should be realizedthat the outward end of the stud or one of the transverse bars may beprovided with a hook or bracket or the like. Furthermore, a portion ofthe keyhole aperture in such an embodiment may be constituted by spaceother than that defined by the plate or object. Thus the aperture may beprovided near the edge of a plate with the circular portion beingdefined by the plate whilethe leg portion is provided by having thecircular portion at the edge of the plate so as to have an open portionthereat.

What is claimed is: V

1. A fastening device comprising, in combination, a stud having aplurality of adjacent shoulder portions disposed along the axis thereof,a first plate having an aperture therein of which a first portion iscircular and a second portion is rectangular, one of said shoulderportions having a pair of straight sides and a pair of curved sidescontained in said aperture in said first plate, a second plate having anaperture therein of which a first portion is circular and a secondportion is rectangular, a second of said shoulder portions having a pairof straight sides and a pair of curved sides contained in said aperturein said second plate, means on the ends of said stud to prevent axialmovement thereof through said apertures in said plates when said stud isin a first position with said shoulder portions in said circularportions of said apertures, at least one of said end means on said studbeing axially movable through the aperture in one of said plates whensaid stud is moved in a plane normal to the axis of said apertures andinto a second position where said shoulder portions are in saidrectangular portions of said apertures.

2. A fastening device for a pair of apertured plates one of which hasdepressed portions disposed about the aperture therein, comprising astud having a plurality of shoulder portions disposed along the axisthereof, at least two of said shoulder portions having a rectangularshape corresponding to the shape of diiferent portions of the aperturesin said plates with one of said two shoulder portions being longer thanthe other, said stud being adapted for movement in said apertures in aplane normal to the axis of said apertures from a portion thereof of oneshape which prevents rotation of said stud therein to ball and springmeans.

4. A fastening device comprising, in combination, a stud having aplurality of adjacent rectangularly-shaped shoulder portions ofdififerent lengths disposed along the axis thereof, a first object to befastened having a keyholeshaped aperture therein with one of saidshoulder portions being contained in said aperture, a second object tobe fastened to said first object and having a keyhole-shaped aperturetherein with a second shoulder portion of said stud being contained insaid aperture, said keyhole-shaped aperture in said first object havingopposed circular and non-circular sectors, means on the ends of saidstud to prevent axial movement thereof through said apertures in saidobjects in a first position of said stud in said apertures, saidapertures besing adapted to permit movement of said stud in a planenormal to the axis of said apertures from said first position to asecond position whereby at least one of said end means on said stud canbe axially moved through the aperture in one of said objects.

References titted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/30 Jurad -57/48 Strauss et a1 17445

1. A FASTENING DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A STUD HAVING APLURALITY OF ADJACENT SHOULDER PORTIONS DISPOSED ALONG THE AXIS THEREOF,A FIRST PLATE HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN OF WHICH A FIRST PORTION ISCIRCULAR AND A SECOND PORTION IS RECTANGULAR, ONE OF SAID SHOULDERPORTIONS HAVING A PAIR OF STRAIGHT SIDES AND A PAIR OF CURVED SIDESCONTAINED IN SAID APERTURE IN SAID FIRST PLATE, A SECOND PLATE HAVING ANAPERTURE THEREIN OF WHICH A FIRST PORTION OF CIRCULAR AND A SECONDPORTION IS RECTANGULAR, A SECOND OF SAID SHOULDER PORTIONS HAVING A PAIROF STRAIGHT SIDES AND A PAIR OF CURVED SIDES CONTAINED IN SAID APERTUREIN SAID SECOND PLATE, MEANS ON THE ENDS OF SAID STUD TO PREVENT AXIALMOVEMENT THEREOF THROUGH SAID APERTURES IN SAID PLATES WHEN SAID STUD ISIN A FIRST POSITION WITH SAID SHOULDER PORTIONS IN SAID CIRCULAR PORTIONOF SAID APERTURES, AT LEAST ON OF SAID END MEANS ON SAID STUD BEINGAXIALLY MOVABLE THROUGH THE APERTURE IN ONE OF SAID PLATES WHEN SAIDSTUD IS MOVED IN A PLANE NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF SAID APERTURES AND INTO ASECOND POSITION WHERE SAID SHOULDER PORTIONS ARE IN SAID RECTANGULARPORTIONS OF SAID APERTURES.